Li Song speaks at the gathering on Friday. [By Fu Jing / chinadaily.com.cn]

China will work with the incoming European leadership to continue its strong bilateral strategic partnership, a senior Chinese diplomat said.

Li Song, minister-counselor of the China Mission to the European Union expressed the country's willingness on Friday at a Mid-Autumn Festival event the Brussels Press Club attended by more than 200 foreign and Chinese journalists.

The EU's leadership transition is under way with many top positions filled already. The new leadership of European Council and European Commission will take office in November and December after the new members of European Parliament have started to work in July.

"We look forward to continuing to work closely with our European colleagues at all levels . . . to maintain the momentum of our growth," said Li, adding that the festival is a celebration of the harvest and this year China and EU are reaping a rich harvest from nearly 40 years of China-EU diplomatic relations.

Li said the first visit of a Chinese head of state to the EU headquarters in the spring turned a new page in the history of the China-EU Comprehensive Strategic partnership.

He said bilateral trade continues to grow, reaching $559 billion last year and that intensive talks are underway aimed at further expanding two-way investment.

Li also said 230,000 Chinese students are studying in EU countries and more than 40,000 young Europeans are in China.